Rockaway, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rockaway, Morris County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rockaway?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 145 days in the Morris forecast zone and Morris County — the most common reported hazard around Rockaway, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (105 days) and flooding (80 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 145 | Jun 2026 | Jun 18, 2018 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 105 | Feb 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 80 | Jan 2024 | Aug 28, 2011 · 1 death · $200 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 76 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 57 | Jun 2026 | Sep 16, 1999 · $30 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 40 | Aug 2025 | Jun 9, 2009 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Apr 2020 | Oct 29, 2012 · 3 deaths · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 32 | Dec 2022 | Jan 28, 2005 · 2 deaths |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Morris forecast zone and Morris County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rockaway get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Rockaway, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oak Ridge Rsvr weather station 9.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 3.9 | 9.6 | 7.7 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rockaway?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 66 miles south. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Rockaway | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 66 mi south | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 86 mi east | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 118 mi northwest | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Rockaway
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 51 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rockaway, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 28, 1973, which touched down about 11 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2023, which touched down about 12 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 151 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 11, 1995.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Rockaway's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Rockaway radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rockaway, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 66 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rockaway?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rockaway the lowest scan from KDIX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rockaway free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Rockaway, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.